Saturday, June 9th, 2012
In an effort not to completely lose my mind as I cram for the bar, (perhaps too late), I’ve been reading the book Shift by Peter Arnell in between batches of MBE and MPT questions this weekend. Reading “fun”
books (i.e. nonfiction that I can get information out of, or the rare but occasional fiction books that are just purely fun to read, or ANY book outside of law right now), books have become my porn. My jelly donuts.
My brain’s chocolate bars–this season in particular.
First off, I’ll never look at oranges the same way again. You’ll have to read the book to understand.
Maybe I need to rethink citrus.
Second, the thing I’m really digging in the book is that the author discusses a point in his life where he was definitely at a crossroads; he needed to change, could feel that he needed to change, and how he went about making that change. He’s also a brilliant advertising/marketer, so more than anyone, he should
know how to articulate how one gets back to their inner core, foundational self and transforms to make things better.
I’m getting near a pretty big crossroads myself–(hopefully) after the bar is over this summer, I’ll be entering a new zone in my life. And I, too, am really looking forward to understanding this shift in my own life and how I can not only maximize it, but improve the bubble and life around me for others with my new found freedom.
I’m still learning how to reinvent myself just like everyone else. That I’m not afraid to admit. But here are three things I’ve nailed around this thus far, that I thought I’d share with you. I’m sure there is more to learn too:
1. Be the authentic, old-school, hard-core version of you – Arnell argues that one must selfishly get back to who it is they fundamentally are at the core before moving somewhere else. One of my mentors calls this one’s “true north.” I totally agree with them. Who are you? What do you value? Where do you come from, and how does your past shape your future? If you’ve been so busy on the treadmill of life to take a time out to understand these core things about yourself–stop, breathe, take time out–and figure it out.
2. Never advertise that you’re a work in progress – Arnell hasn’t talked about this in his book yet, but I’m a firm believer in this. It is assumed that we ALL are a work in progress! For example, I saw a recent college graduate on his LinkedIn profile with the headline of “looking for a job post college.” Uhm – dude – for real?!? Instead, why not use that as a billboard for what mad skills you actually do already have – what you rock at – what you believe in, instead? Use that space to attract more of what your strengths are into your life, rather than looking like another sad statistic.
3. It’s more important to understand what you don’t know than what you do know - Arnell talks about this in Shift. I keep joking with people now that I’ve finished my fourth degree that I’m working my way towards ignorance being bliss! Seriously – if you know what you don’t know, you can begin to understand even more. You can still be open to learning from others. This is a key skill in evolving over time – becoming the best version of you. Quit bragging about what you know – and instead be curious about the world and the things you don’t know. Trust me, there’s PLENTY of things out there I personally have no clue about–but I’m stoked to know more!
There you have it. I’m headed back to the wonderful world of the Federal Rules of Evidence. (Hearsay, anyone?) In the meantime, I hope if you’re undergoing that shift in your own life–I leave the court to ponder, this: do you want the shift to happen to you, or do you want to make the shift happen?
After all, shift happens regardless…!
Special K
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012
Through the swirl of my day, I thought I’d mash up my experiences and bring you the message I received, sent to me via the universe, as usual.
Today I’m studying for the bar (again). Topic du jour is “Agency.” This is where you in the law may have an agent-principal relationship. One such example of this type of relationship is employer (principal)-employee (agent).
A lot of agency activities can be delegated. For example – if I contract with you for you to mow my lawn for me and I hire you for $40 to do so, you’re technically my agent, and I’m the principal (unless of course you’re an independent contractor – but that’s beyond the scope of this blog…).
You get the idea.
Anyway, while most contracts (Ks, for short, we call them in the legal arena) can be delegated to agents, a few cannot be. One such example where a contract (or K) that cannot be delegated to agents are “special service” contracts. As the instructor explained it online today–it’s where you may hire a particular band to play at your wedding reception, like Journey–or maybe a special or particular artist to paint your portrait, like Picasso (if he was still alive). Let me say it again–these are the types of agreements that CANNOT be delegated. Hence, the name for this post–“Special K.”
So, let’s flip to a different part of my day, where I was having a conversation about how to set yourself apart from others with a student. For example, in this tight economy, where you, as a college senior, are going to a meeting, where you’ll be in a sea of other college seniors, doing and studying EXACTLY what you are doing and studying, how can you set yourself apart? Said another way–how can YOU as the professional, get to rock star status, where no one else but YOU will do? When do you get to be Steve Perry or Marc Chagall? Where do YOU get to be part of that Special and elusive, totally non-delegable K?
Here are a few ideas.
1. Design your own brand – Brand You. I know you’ve heard this before. Several times. I can’t believe I’ve just said it again. But it’s worth saying one more time.
Everyone has some unique talent. What is yours? Put it on a T-shirt and wear it around EVERYTHING that you do. (In fact, a T-shirt of your awesomeness wouldn’t make a bad valentine in bullet 3 below.) If you’re not a marketing major, but you know one, take them out for a meal and pick their brains. Tell them your strengths, hobbies, talents, special skills, and let them help you create your own brand.
2. Be a little crazy – Rock stars never hide under rocks. They just rock. (Can you imagine Steve Perry or Picasso hiding under a rock?!?) And they’re not afraid to rock! So why are you afraid to shine, sparkle, and let it rip? But–warning–that might make you appear a tad “eccentric.” I’m here to challenge you–SO WHAT?!? It’s better to be a little different and memorable one way or the other, rather than boring and with the masses!
Great. How? Read on to my next point…
3. Have a valentine – This one I got from Todd Sattersten out in Portland. He has a one-of-a-kind
“Valentine” that he hands out to others when he goes to a big, crazy meeting, like SXSW–where, yes, everyone pretty much is as cool as Steve Perry. For Todd, his valentine was in the past a book he put together that only HE can distribute–you can’t buy it anywhere–only he has it. You can only get it from him – and yes, he’s a published writer. It’s one of a kind.
I don’t really care what your valentine is–a coffee mug, a T-shirt with your face and CV on the back, a magnet, a book, a CD–WHATEVER. Just pick something, custom make it, and make it one of a kind that the universe can only get FROM. YOU. With places like Café Press, Moo, even Spoonflower—you can pretty much get ANYTHING custom made these days–so creativity is ONLY limited by what’s between your ears.
Here’s hoping that at that next special service K that you’re party to – it is NON-DELEGABLE. I wish and hope for you that people won’t let you delegate your service agreements because yes, you’re just THAT AWESOME. You’re your own brand of awesomeness–like Marc Chagall. Steve Perry. Picasso.
That is my wish for you.
And now for me? Back to the wonderful world of partnerships…and bar review.
Pray, people, pray!